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Feeding outcomes of preterm infants discharged with feeding tubes

Journal of Perinatology (2025)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate feeding outcomes in preterm infants discharged with feeding tubes (FT).

Study design

Retrospective study comparing infants ≤30 weeks gestational age discharged with a nasogastric tube (NGT) or surgically placed feeding tube (spFT) from 2012–2020. The primary outcome was feeding status at 12 months corrected age, defined as full oral feeds (FOF) or feeding tube dependence (FTD) if ongoing FT use.

Results

217 infants were included: 130 discharged with an NGT (60%), 87 with spFT (40%). More NGT infants achieved FOF (NGT = 76%, spFT=24%, p < 0.001). FTD was associated with small for gestational age (aOR= 2.75, p = 0.034), severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (aOR= 2.36, p = 0.029), and continuous feeds (aOR= 4.06, p < 0.001). Increased oral intake at discharge decreased FTD odds (aOR=0.74, p = 0.010). Infants with spFT had higher healthcare utilization for FT complications (spFT=60%, NGT = 19%, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

These findings can guide FT selection and optimize follow-up for infants at risk of FTD.

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Fig. 1: Kaplan–Meier Curve showing time in months after discharge to full oral feeds.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available on reasonable request from the corresponding author, AL. The data are not publicly available, as they are stored on a secure REDCap server at Emory University.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Anisa Lakhani, Barbara McElhanon, Zhulin He, William G. Sharp & Heidi Karpen

  2. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA

    Nikhila Raol

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Contributions

AL: Conceived study design, completed data collection, drafted initial manuscript, revised manuscript based on feedback from co-authors. BM: Assisted with research methodology, contributed to data interpretation, provided revisions to manuscript. ZH: Performed statistical analysis, assisted with creation of tables and figures and interpretation of statistical analysis, provided revisions to manuscript. NR: Assisted with research methodology, contributed to data interpretation, provided revisions to manuscript. WGS: Assisted with research methodology, contributed to data interpretation, provided revisions to manuscript. HK: Provided guidance on study design, oversaw interpretation of statistical analysis, reviewed and edited the manuscript. All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anisa Lakhani.

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Competing interests

Dr. Karpen has the following disclosures: Prolacta Bioscience, INC: research grant, honoraria and Progeny Health, Scientific Advisory Board Member. Dr. Lakhani, Dr. McElhanon, Dr. He, Dr. Raol, and Dr. Sharp declare no potential competing interests.

Ethics approval

Study approval was obtained from the Emory University Institutional Review Board (STUDY00003538), and a waiver of informed consent was granted. The study was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

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Lakhani, A., McElhanon, B., He, Z. et al. Feeding outcomes of preterm infants discharged with feeding tubes. J Perinatol (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-025-02422-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-025-02422-x

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